Selective feeding of pine voles on roots of tree seedlings

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Schreiber ◽  
R. K. Swihart
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Yellow Poplar ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Microtus Pinetorum ◽  
Belowground Herbivory ◽  
Oak Seedlings

Previous studies have implicated numerous physical and biotic factors as contributing to the failure of oak to regenerate successfully throughout substantial portions of eastern North America. Recent field evidence in southern Indiana implicated belowground herbivory by pine voles ( Microtus pinetorum (LeConte, 1830)) as a potentially important but overlooked mortality agent for oak seedlings. We used cafeteria-style feeding trials to determine whether selection of hardwood seedlings by captive pine voles differed according to species or age. White oak ( Quercus alba L.) was selected more frequently and experienced a greater proportion of root removal by pine voles than same-age seedlings of the other four species tested. Yellow poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.) was never eaten. White oak seedlings 3 and 6 weeks of age suffered proportionately greater root removal than conspecific seedlings 12 and 15 weeks of age; pine voles removed roughly constant levels of root biomass irrespective of seedling age. Our results confirm that pine voles selectively feed on oak seedlings. In areas where pine voles are abundant, belowground herbivory could limit regeneration of oak by reducing seedling growth and survival. The importance of pine voles as factors influencing the success of oak regeneration warrants closer scrutiny in future field studies.

scholarly journals Effects of Scarification Disturbance on the Seedling and Midstory Layer in a Successional Mixed-Oak Forest

2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Lhotka ◽  
James J. Zaczek
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
Seedling Density ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Treatment Results ◽  
Southern Illinois ◽  
Soil Scarification ◽  
Oak Seedlings

Abstract This study investigated whether soil scarification during the presence of abundant white oak (Quercus alba L.) acorns and other mast could be used to increase the density of oak reproduction and reduce competitive midstory species in a mid-successional mixed-oak upland forest. The study was conducted in a 7.3 ha forest with a mature oak overstory and a well-developed midstory of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and pawpaw (Asmina triloba Dunal.) in southern Illinois. The soil scarification was conducted in the autumn after acorn dissemination using a crawler tractor with a six-tooth brush rake. One growing season after treatment, significantly higher numbers of oak seedlings, primarily white oak, were present in the scarified plots (5,164 ha-1) compared to the control plots (1,273 ha-1). Seedling density of all other species classes did not differ between treatments. Scarification affected 61% of midstory trees and thus reduced their density and competitive position. Of these trees, 21% of stems were completely removed by the scarification treatment. Results suggest that, in the presence of abundant acorns, scarification may increase the number of new oak germinants in stands lacking advanced oak reproduction. Finally, because scarification increased the density of oak seedlings and reduced competing midstory trees, it can play a role in promoting the establishment of advanced oak reproduction. North. J. Appl. For. 20(2):85–91.

A comparison of the effects of different shelterwood harvest methods on the survival and growth of acorn-origin oak seedlings

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 2359-2374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick H. Brose
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Quercus Velutina ◽  
Germination Success ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Oak Seedlings

Timely development of newly germinated oak (Quercus spp.) seedlings into competitive-sized regeneration is an essential part of the oak regeneration process. The amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor partly governs this development, and foresters often use the shelterwood system to expose oak seedlings to varying degrees of insolation. To further understand the seedling development–sunlight–shelterwood relationships, I conducted a multiyear study at five locations in Pennsylvania. Each location had four stands either uncut or recently treated with one of three shelterwood harvest methods (preparatory cut, first removal cut, or final removal cut) resulting in four different levels of sunlight reaching the forest floor. In each stand, four 32 m2 plots were prepared, and each was planted with 400 acorns of black (Quercus velutina Lam.), chestnut (Quercus montana Willd.), northern red (Quercus rubra L.), or white oak (Quercus alba L.) and protected from wildlife. Germination success was universally high and for the next 8 years, I monitored seedling survival and measured seedling growth. The final and first removal cut treatments had higher seedling survival than the preparatory cut and uncut treatments. Oak seedling growth was positively related to sunlight availability; seedlings in the final removal cut grew the most, followed in descending order by those in the first removal cut, preparatory cut, and uncut treatments. These findings provide insight into the subtleties of regenerating oak forests with the shelterwood system.

Do chestnut, northern red, and white oak germinant seedlings respond similarly to light treatments? II. Gas exchange and chlorophyll responses

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1025-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Rebbeck ◽  
Amy Scherzer ◽  
Kurt Gottschalk
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Chlorophyll Content ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Shelterwood Cut ◽  
Oak Seedlings

Understanding differences in physiological and growth strategies in low-light environments among upland oak species may help managers address the challenges of oaks’ poor regeneration. Gas exchange and chlorophyll content were measured for northern red oak ( Quercus rubra L.), chestnut oak ( Quercus prinus L.), and white oak ( Quercus alba L.) germinants grown at 25%, 18%, and 6% of full sun in one of two native forest soil mixes for two summers. Northern red and chestnut oak photosynthesis at saturating light (Amax, mass) increased by 23%–36% as light levels increased from 6% to 25% of full sun, while white oak Amax, mass declined by 20% and plateaued at 18% of full sun. White oak light compensation point is representative of deep shade (7.2 µmol·m–2·s–1), while northern red and chestnut oak averaged 17.8 µmol·m–2·s–1. Total chlorophyll content increased as light levels decreased for all species. Of the three species, the slow-growing white oak seedlings appeared to be more efficient in utilizing light than northern red or chestnut oak seedlings. This suggests no additional benefits to increasing light above that typically found in a light shelterwood cut; however, it is crucial to control faster-growing competing vegetation.

scholarly journals Injury on White Oak Seedlings from Herbicide Exposure Simulating Drift

HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 2076-2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayesh B. Samtani ◽  
John B. Masiunas ◽  
James E. Appleby
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Leaf Unfolding ◽  
Housing Developments ◽  
Field Corn ◽  
Leaf Chlorosis ◽  
Chloroacetanilide Herbicides ◽  
Herbicide Drift ◽  
Oak Seedlings

Herbicide drift to landscape and woodland trees is a particular concern in midwestern United States where the topography is relatively flat, large-scale agriculture relies on herbicides, and housing developments and woodlands are intermingled with agricultural fields. Recently, leaf abnormalities (called leaf tatters) have been reported on white oak (Quercus alba L.). We evaluated the effects of field corn herbicides on white oak at the swollen bud, leaf unfolding, and expanded leaf stages. Container-grown white oak seedlings were treated with 1%, 10%, and 25% standard field use rates of 2,4-D isooctyl ester, glyphosate, 2,4-D isooctyl ester + glyphosate, dicamba, acetochlor + atrazine, and metolachlor. Loss of interveinal tissues (leaf tatters) occurred after treatment with the chloroacetanilide herbicides, acetochlor (+ atrazine) and metolachlor, only when oaks were in the leaf unfolding stage. No other herbicide caused tatter-like symptoms. Dicamba and 2,4-D ester applied at the leaf unfolding stage caused leaf cupping, downward rolling of leaf margins, elongation of leaf tips, leaf strapping with parallel veination, and initial leaf cupping followed by death of the growing point. Glyphosate applied at either the leaf unfolding or expanded leaf stage caused leaf chlorosis and necrosis, leaf tip browning, and curling of leaves. Herbicide applications near white oak should be timed before leaf unfolding or after the expanded leaf stages.

Factors Affecting Natural Regeneration of Piedmont Hardwoods

1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan S. Kays ◽  
David Wm. Smith ◽  
Shepard M. Zedaker ◽  
Richard E. Kreh
Keyword(s):  
Acer Rubrum ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Yellow Poplar ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Quercus Prinus ◽  
Dormant Season ◽  
Typical Range

Abstract Clear felling with whole-tree utilization was performed on six similar pairs of plots with a range of SI50 48-75 ft for white oak. Pairs of plots received either dormant or growing season harvests and spanned a typical range of Piedmont upland hardwood sites characterized by low-quality stems and poor species composition: White oak (Quercus alba L.), scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea Muenchh.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) sprouting decreased with increasing diameter, while chestnut oak (Quercus prinus L.), yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), and sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum L.) did not. Sprouting of white oak stumps greater than 12 in. dbh and 80 years old was significantly increased with a dormant season harvest. In general, chestnut oak, yellow-poplar, sourwood, and red maple sprouted with high frequencies regardless of season of harvest, diameter, or age. South. J. Appl. For. 12(2):98-102.

scholarly journals Planting Oaks in Group Selection Openings on Upland Sites: Two Case Studies from Arkansas

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-122
Author(s):  
Eric Heitzman ◽  
Adrian Grell
Keyword(s):  
Group Selection ◽  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Height Increment ◽  
Ozark Mountains ◽  
White Oak ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Oak Seedlings

Abstract Two upland sites in Arkansas were studied to test the performance of 1-0 northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and white oak (Quercus alba L.) seedlings planted in group selection openings. Both red and white oak seedlings were planted at one location in the Ozark Mountains,and only red oak seedlings were planted at a second site along Crowleys Ridge. Holes were dug with power augers and seedlings were planted by hand. At the time of planting, the mean height of red oak and white oak seedlings at the Ozark site were 3.4 and 1.9 ft, respectively. Red oak seedlingsat Crowleys Ridge averaged 3.0 ft tall when planted. After 4 years at the Ozark site, 77% of red oak and 86% of white oak were alive. After 3 years at Crowleys Ridge, red oak survival was 80%. Seedlings at both sites grew slowly. Mean 4-year height increment at the Ozarksite was 2.1 ft for red oak and 2.5 ft for white oak, and mean 3-year height increment for red oak at Crowleys Ridge was 1.6 ft. Three years after planting in the Ozark Mountains and 2 years after planting at Crowleys Ridge, naturally regenerating competition had suppressed over one-thirdof the red oak and about one-half of the white oak. This necessitated a release treatment around planted seedlings at both sites. Oaks that decreased in total height over a given growing season were common. Most seedlings that decreased in height had been pulled over or crushed by other vegetationor exhibited top dieback. South. J. Appl.For. 30(3):142–146.

Do chestnut, northern red, and white oak germinant seedlings respond similarly to light treatments? Growth and biomass

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 2219-2230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Rebbeck ◽  
Kurt Gottschalk ◽  
Amy Scherzer
Keyword(s):  
Forest Soil ◽  
Red Oak ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
Northern Red Oak ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Shoot Mass ◽  
Oak Seedlings

Northern red oak ( Quercus rubra L.) seedling growth has been extensively studied. White oak ( Quercus alba L.) and chestnut oak ( Quercus prinus L.), however, are far less investigated despite their importance among upland oak species in eastern North American forests. We characterized white and chestnut oak seedling response to light and available soil nutrients while using northern red oak as a benchmark. Germinants were grown within one of three shade treatments (25%, 18%, and 6% of full sun) in one of two native forest soil mixes over two growing seasons. Leaf area, shoot mass, and root mass of all three species showed positive growth responses to increasing light. Growth and biomass were higher for all species grown in the more nutrient-rich forest soil, but chestnut oak displayed the greatest positive responses to the higher nutrient levels. White oak seedlings were the slowest growers and demonstrated the most root-centered growth, with root to shoot ratios almost twice that of either chestnut or northern red oak seedlings. The oak species evaluated here responded differently to changes in resource availability. Our study demonstrates the differential response of upland oaks to low light and nutrients. These differences need consideration when developing oak management prescriptions for specific oaks.

scholarly journals Can Growth of Seed-propagated Oaks be Predicted before Lining out in Nursery Rows?

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
J. Roger Harris ◽  
Lisa E. Richardson-Calfee
Keyword(s):  
Final Height ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Trunk Diameter ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Black Oak ◽  
Oak Seedlings

Growth rates of nursery-grown oaks (Quercus L.) vary considerably, and many oak species are not commonly grown because of slow growth when young. A method for rapid screening of young oak seedlings to predict potential growth in a production nursery was investigated. Acorns from single maternal trees of four Virginia-native oak species, Quercus montana Wild. (chestnut oak), Quercus palustris Münchh. (pin oak), Quercus velutina Lam. (black oak), and Quercus alba L. (white oak) were collected in Blacksburg, VA, in the fall of 1999 and subjected to stratification (moist-chilling) at 5C (41F). Single acorns were then planted in individual cells of 50-cell liner trays and grown in a heated greenhouse until individual seedlings had set first buds. Height at first budset was recorded for individual seedlings. Trees were then transplanted into 3.8 liter (#1) black plastic containers and grown outdoors in Blacksburg, VA, until June 2001, when they were transplanted to field soil. All trees were grown in the ground for three additional growing seasons, and final trunk diameters were measured in February 2004. Height at first budset was not related to trunk diameter at the end of the experiment for any species and was only weakly related to final height for black oak. Trunk diameter of seedlings when planted in field beds 1.5 years from seed was related to trunk diameter at the end of the experiment for all species, but little variation was explained by the relationship for chestnut oak or black oak. Plant height at field planting was not as predictive as trunk diameter for final trunk diameter, except for black oak. The utility of screening a group of oak seedlings at the liner stage for subsequent growth potential is species-specific. Screening white oak by trunk diameter appears especially promising.

scholarly journals Post-fireQuercus albafitness in a stressed plant community

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Milla
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
Prescribed Burn ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
In Fire ◽  
Oak Seedlings

AbstractPrescribed burns are widely used for managing North American deciduous forests due to their ability to positively affect plant community structure and composition. This study examines the effects of neighboring herbaceous plants on the recruitment ofQuercus alba(white oak) seedlings in fire-managed parts of Shawnee National Forest (Illinois, USA). Herbs were clipped to induce plant community stress and relative growth rates (RGRs) of planted white oak seedlings were assessed to determine if a competitive or facilitative dynamic is present. In addition to RGR, we observed the mycorrhizal network via fungal colonization in mesh bags to quantify belowground activity for our experimental plots. Our results supported fire’s positive effects on tree recruitment and herbaceous growth. Clipping combined with fire management decreased RGR. This finding suggests that a facilitative dynamic is at play and herbaceous neighbors help white oak seedlings persist due to protection from environmental stressors (p = 0.017). Soil moisture played a large role in promoting tree fitness on each of our sites. Lower hyphal biomass was observed in areas where herbs were clipped. We further speculate that the stress caused by clipping may have suspended or eliminated the need for mycorrhizae to form, possibly due to herb mortality. Knowing how herbs and trees interact will lead to purposeful forest community planning especially in fire-managed forests where herbs are likely to dominate post-prescribed burn.

scholarly journals Fungal Growth, Production, and Sporulation during Leaf Decomposition in Two Streams

2001 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
pp. 5063-5068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keller Suberkropp
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Biomass ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Quercus Alba ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Yellow Poplar ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Growth Production ◽  
Oak Leaves ◽  
Poplar Leaves

ABSTRACT I examined the activity of fungi associated with yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and white oak (Quercus alba) leaves in two streams that differed in pH and alkalinity (a hardwater stream [pH 8.0] and a softwater stream [pH 6.7]) and contained low concentrations of dissolved nitrogen (<35 μg liter−1) and phosphorus (<3 μg liter−1). The leaves of each species decomposed faster in the hardwater stream (decomposition rates, 0.010 and 0.007 day−1 for yellow poplar and oak, respectively) than in the softwater stream (decomposition rates, 0.005 and 0.004 day−1 for yellow poplar and oak, respectively). However, within each stream, the rates of decomposition of the leaves of the two species were not significantly different. During the decomposition of leaves, the fungal biomasses determined from ergosterol concentrations, the production rates determined from rates of incorporation of [14C]acetate into ergosterol, and the sporulation rates associated with leaves were dynamic, typically increasing to maxima and then declining. The maximum rates of fungal production and sporulation associated with yellow poplar leaves were greater than the corresponding rates associated with white oak leaves in the hardwater stream but not in the softwater stream. The maximum rates of fungal production associated with the leaves of the two species were higher in the hardwater stream (5.8 mg g−1 day−1 on yellow poplar leaves and 3.1 mg g−1 day−1 on oak leaves) than in the softwater stream (1.6 mg g−1day−1 on yellow poplar leaves and 0.9 mg g−1day−1 on oak leaves), suggesting that effects of water chemistry other than the N and P concentrations, such as pH or alkalinity, may be important in regulating fungal activity in streams. In contrast, the amount of fungal biomass (as determined from ergosterol concentrations) on yellow poplar leaves was greater in the softwater stream (12.8% of detrital mass) than in the hardwater stream (9.6% of detrital mass). This appeared to be due to the decreased amount of fungal biomass that was converted to conidia and released from the leaf detritus in the softwater stream.

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